Enthusiasts Flock To NEC For The Spring Restoration & Classic Car Show

The Spring Restoration & Classic Car Show cemented its position as the UK’s major season opener with a second outing that was double the size, had triple the club displays, double the sales in Silverstone Auctions’ sale, and a huge rise of 60 per cent in its attendance figures. Over 19,000 enthusiasts flocked to Birmingham’s NEC to enjoy a weekend of classic and project cars, live demos, informative workshops, and motoring celebrities.

Around 550 classic cars were on display ranging from a chassis, engine and gearbox of a rare 1902 De Dion Bouton discovered in a barn, with a completely restored model of the same age next to it, to a concours condition 1987 RS500 Sierra Cosworth.

There were displays from 90 clubs, triple the amount to the inaugural year, with around 60 of the displays featuring live working on the stands. The coveted Club Stand of the Show prize was awarded to the Jowett Car Club, winners for the second year running.

Silverstone Auctions built on the success of its first Restoration Sale with an 84% sale rate resulting in £2million total, double the figure previously achieved in 2014. The biggest seller of the weekend was a 2010 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, one of 500 made worldwide, that sold to a buyer in the USA for a premium inclusive £236,250.

Show Director Daniel Nwaokolo said: “A huge thank you to all the clubs, exhibitors, celebrities, car owners and visitors who supported this year’s event. These fantastic results reflect the hard work of everyone involved, the passion for classic cars and the continued enjoyment and preservation of our motoring heritage.”

Success also came for the Cheshire Capri Club who won the Club Challenge on the Live Stage. Jason Hibbert changed the valves on a cylinder head in just over two minutes, winning £250 for his club.

Visitors voted for their favourite in the grand final of the Restorer of the Year with 21-year-old student Matt Tomkins from Aylesbury taking home the Golden Spanner Award. Matt, an active member of the Morris Minor Owners Club Young Members Register, had restored his 1969 Traveller whilst trying to complete his dissertation and prepare for his final university exam.

Celebrity guests enjoyed the show, walking around the halls meeting visitors and exhibitors as well as being interviewed on the Live Stage with Discovery Channel and Ask Our Experts stages. Wheeler Dealers Mike Brewer and Edd China, For the Love of Cars’ Ant Anstead, Car SOS’ Fuzz Townshend, Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell and Red Dwarf star and classic car enthusiast Chris Barrie all took part. Also spotted was The Classic Car Show’s Alex Riley.

Sporting Bears’ Dream Rides made its show debut and raised over £7,500 for local children’s charities with its ten-mile passenger rides.

Jaguar Heritage showcased the new lightweight E-Type as well as working on the restoration of a 40-year-old XJS.

It was a great weekend for the Dealers too with some stunning classics on offer. Graeme hunt had a show stopping 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL as well as a 1971 Range Rover Classic ‘A’ Chassis in LHD. Christian Benton from Devonshire Motor Company had a good show including selling his Honda S2000 which had only 11,000 miles on the clock! Other Dealers included Hurst Park, Classicmobilia, Ian Webb Specialist Cars, Design 911 UK, Suffolk SS100, Moto-Build, Aston Workshop, TRGB and RR & B Garages.

With 340 exhibitors in total, a Classic Trader Village and an Autojumble the same size as the show’s mammoth sister event in November, traders reported brisk business throughout the weekend whilst praising the quality of visitor.

Next year’s event takes place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March 2016, slightly earlier due to the Easter dateline. For more updates and a gallery of show images, visit www.necrestorationshow.com